An unexpected, last-minute push to guarantee that a particular bank would receive more Richmond County school board business failed Thursday night.
In September, the school board unanimously approved SunTrust Bank for banking services because it submitted the lowest bid, which is required by the board's charter.
But, board member Joe Scott, who voted in favor of the September motion, made a new Thursday motion to award some of the banking to Capitol City Bank, which did not bid on the banking services in September.
"I think there should be some kind of goal set where we try to help minorities and women and help other small banks in this community," Mr. Scott said.
Board Vice President Alex Howard, who works for Georgia Bank & Trust, said the school board's responsibility is to the community as a whole.
"When it comes to fiscal management of this money and this county, that is our No. 1 responsibility," he said.
Controller Gene Spires told board members that a bank as small as Capitol City isn't capable of handling assets as large as the school board's.
Size doesn't matter, Mr. Scott said. There should be an effort to spread the money among banks.
"Maybe they don't have the capacity to compete with the larger banks, but there should be some kind of effort made on the part of the people who handle our money to try to help out all people in this community," he said. "Putting all of your money in the same banks all the time, that doesn't grow these other banks in the community."
Mr. Scott also tried to get a motion passed that would have checked to see how much of the school board's construction money has gone to contractors owned by minorities and women. If it was found to be low, the motion also called for a "boost" for these businesses.
But the board never voted on either of Mr. Scott's motions.
School board attorney Pete Fletcher said it would be improper to vote on an item not on the meeting's agenda. At the beginning of meetings, members have the opportunity to add items before approving the agenda.
President Marion Barnes said he was in error by allowing Mr. Scott to make a motion, but he allowed him to do it. It failed 8-2 with Mr. Scott and Barbara Pulliam voting for it.
The board will revisit the issue when it meets in February.
Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
As a public entitty, procurement of goods and services should be bid based and decisions made with fiscal accountability to the whole community; not just the white, black, yellow or purple community. Capital City Bank is not a local minority owned business. My guess is Mr. Scott wants to support a minority local branch manager, maybe even a friend or family member. The bottom line is if the bank did not participate in the bid process, they should not be considered. The school board's obligation is to act in the best interest of our educational system. Let's wait until that job is being accomplished properly before attempting to serve additional and self-imposed purposes. In the meantime, all of the race based decisions need to stop. I don't know of any other system with so many race based rules and practices i.e rotating race for board president, having black board seats versus white board seats etc. It's like watching a carefully orchastrated circus - while entertaining to watch, nothing of value is accomplished.
Fighting over which bank will house the cities money. WOW. I remember several years ago these clowns "found" money in accounts that they did not know they had. Do you reckon the city still has a lot of dormant accounts they do not know exist? Worse that that, they probably do not have a clue on how to find the accounts. That may make up the 2.3 million that they are short. Of course they banks would just as soon keep it there so they can use it.
start your own bank and get da gubment to give u bailout money and cut my taxes. : )
Martinez, LaTwon, spot on.
Joe, I am surprized at you. What made you think this bank was interested in being involved with the school's money? With banks closings left and right why would anyone out an enoirmous sum of money in a small bank or even just 1 bank? What qualifies them other than being a "minority" bank? What does color have to do with it? Georgia Bank and Trust and First Bank are locally owned banks- why didn't you mention them? Once again the "race card" is being thrown up in from the school board instead of concentrating on what is best for the students and the tax payers.
It's OK to toss a bone to Capitol City Bank or any other bank, but let them go through the process so that everyone understands what they can do and what it will cost. Jumping in with a hazy last moment scheme is not the right way to do things.
Seems like 'business as usual.' At least I was not one of the fools who voted him back to the school board.
Congratulations go to Mr. Joe Scott, in spite of all the woes of the world, soon to be corrected by our new ruler, he has caused my home in Columbia County to gain in value overnight. Thanks Joe, but could someone tell me what the term is for a person that considers race as a major factor in making a choice, without reguard to what the facts are? I seem to remember hearing a lot of people use the term, but what is it again?
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